I am having such a hard time deciding on a business name. So I was wondering if I could get some opinions. In your opinion, is it better to use something basic for the business name, like having your last name in it with a keyword or two and then a catchy slogan, or is it better to have a catchy, unique business name? Thanks!

I'm all about unique and unusual whenever possible - but you could certainly go either way!

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You will also want to pick a name that is "flexible" should you change gears in your business. For example if you want to offer other servics such as coaching or writing etc.

Bette Creek

That is where I'm having so many problems. I really do want to expand later, even potentially hiring other VAs to work for me on things that I'm not very good at. A very unique name hit me after I started this thread. It would mesh well with how I received a law degree and plan to focus on working with attorneys but I don't know if it would work well for expanding later. Oh I'm so confused! I would post a few possible names here but I'm so paranoid that someone will see them and register them first!

Do you think the guys at Google or Yahoo! worried if the name they came up with would 'make sense' later on when they got to be mega-giants?? No way! Go with what makes you happy and work it - don't overthink it or you're going to end up choosing something out of a sense of duty to your company's possible future rather than something you LOVE.

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Can I explain how I picked my business name?

ASH - Adminstrative Services Help - or
Anthony, Sydney and Haley - my three children and the reason why I started my business.

Most of my friends know what the ASH stands for but if a potential client asked I would give the first one.

I added the Business Services so that if I choose to be more of a consultant in the future to deal with the organizational and efficiency management part of my business, I don't need to change the business name.

One thing I do have to caution you is that YOU MUST LOVE THE NAME.

I hope that helps..... a little.

Bette Cree

One reason I decided on my business name Let's Coordinate, LLC is that it would allow me to grow my business in what ever direction I choose and I would not be limited to a certain service, etc.

All the best,

Well, hubby doesn't really like the "unique" law related name I thought of. I can't exactly say that I "love" it, but did kind of think it was cute. I wish I wasn't so paranoid about people registering something. Lol! I have so much respect for all of you creative people that come up with your names. It can be harder than it looks.

Coming up with the right name is definitely not easy! It can take hours, days, even weeks of brainstorming until something clicks. With a little thought, you'll get there!

You may have already done this, but I would suggest writing down words that you want associated with your business (i.e. dependable, effective) and brainstorming from there. You might want to look up those words in a thesaurus to find clever substitutes that could lead to a catchy name. But it doesn't have to be catchy...it just needs to be something that you like and will be comfortable saying/writing over and over again.

Good luck! Let us know what you decide!

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Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
Free call: "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention!"

To add my opinion to all the great advice here: I suggest you forget all about it. Do something else. Resolutely avoid the very thought of your business name, and get preoccupied with something else.

And it will be there for you.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Thanks Tammi. That's my name too only it is spelled with one "m".

On a side note:
Vanessa (Girl Friday) - Thanks for your offer of help. I can't reply to your PM because it says I have to have 25 posts before I can PM anyone but staff.

I didn't realize you hadn't posted 25 messages. I just sent you another message and my email address so that you can contact me there if you wish!!

Best of Luck

Because I started my business 34 weeks pregnant with Matilda (my third bubba) I decided to call my business Tilda Virtual Services. Since then I have branched out into web hosting (been doing that for about 5 years but decided to actually name the business and market it) and called it Tilda Hosting. I've also rebranded MailBuild to onsell to my clients and have called that Tilda Mail. Once I get to $75,000 turnover between the three for tax purposes here in Australia, I'll register as a company but still trade under those three names. The company is going to be called Tilda Group Pty Ltd or Tilda Technologies Pty Ltd. Phew..

It has to be something you love and something you can grow with. I started with bookkeeping services but have gone into website design, shopping carts and assisting my clients with their IT needs and advising on how to set up their networks, what hardware they need etc among other 'stuff'.

Good luck with picking a name!

PS, a good friend of mine started an online store for premature baby products and called her store Moment by Moment because when your premmie is born, that is how you live your life with them. Pretty cool huh!

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Kylie Short
Tilda Virtual Services - Making virtual personal

Kylie, I love that name momemt by moment... very original and you can "grow" with that too.

Bette

I think I have found a name that is catchy and more unique than just using my last name in the business name thanks to Vanessa (GirlFriday). But I can't get it in a domain name unless I use the entire long name. I have no idea what to do. I'm afraid it will be too long if I do that.

I am having the same problem, trying to think of a name, slogan/tag, logo, then check domain name, ahhh, no that is taken...start all over.
It can be a painful process.

Hi:

I go with a catchy unique name. If you can work your first and/or last name in to this, so much the better.

Good luck,

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Penelope Myer
Penelope and Partners

So with it being almost a year, have you selected a name? My business coach suggested that the name clearly reflect what you do. We have recently changed our name from Time Balancers to Absolute Business Concierge. Our original tag line was "Lifestyle Management and Concierge" Prospective clients thought we were efficiency experts or organizers. With that said, the change has given us 400% growth in the last two years. Naming your business is so very important.

I thought I would just go with my name as it is in my signature, but now I'm not so sure. After reading this, I'm thinking that a catchy name would make a difference. Definately something to think about!

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~Rae J. Gallaher, VA~
Your "basics" are my business!

Catchy is good -- just keep it business-like. Your name is always good as long a potential clients can figure out what you do easily. Also working with an SEO can help with the words.